TOM COTTERILL

DETECTIVES investigating an attempted sexual assault in Havant have released an e-fit of a man they are hunting for in connection with the crime.

It’s been a week since incident close to Crosslands Drive took place.

The 33 year-old victim had travelling back from London on a train arrived at Havant Station at 11.15pm.

She then walked to where she had parked her car on Crosslands Drive.

As the victim crossed River Way using a footpath from Lavant Drive she became aware of someone walking behind her.

It was then that a man grabbed her, pulled her to the ground and attempted to sexually assault her, police say.

The frightened woman fought the attacker and managed to escape, before running off towards Lavant Drive.

The assailant was described as white, around 5ft 10ins tall and skinny. He was said to be wearing white Converse-style trainers and a light-coloured hooded top. His face was covered during the assault.

DC Julie Way said officers have been patrolling the area hunting for clues and that police were still scouring through CCTV footage from the area.

However, issuing a fresh appeal for help, she said she was still ‘keen’ to hear from anyone who was on the same train as the victim.

‘They may have seen the man believed to have been involved in the area,’ she said.

‘Maybe this new e-fit image will jog your memory. Were you on a late train arriving at Havant this time last week?’

DC Way added that no similar assaults had been reported in the area in recent weeks.

‘Havant is a very safe place in which to live and work, but I’d like to remind people to observe general common sense advice such as walking through well lit areas, where possible, at night,’ she said.

Those with information about the incident are urged to contact DC Way at Fratton police station by calling 101 quoting 44160031770, or via the website, here.